Butte High School reunion JRM

Born in Butte, 1939—last of the Depression or first of the War kids.
Eight years at Monroe School and four at Butte High. Graduated both.
Six months active duty in the Marine Corps (…and seven years in the reserve).
Studied a couple of years at the cow college in Bozeman until I realized they were trying to turn me into a Republican. So I switched to the U. in Missoula and graduated in 1962 with a degree in Radio-TV Journalism and my Democratic credentials intact.
Tried to take Hollywood by storm, but ended up taking a public information (propaganda) job with the U. S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. Did writing and editing for John Kennedy’s Food Stamp Program. Switched to USDA’s movie unit and wrote scripts, directed and edited short films, and did lots of animated cartooning. Ended up doing TV spots for the meat inspectors.
Married Cate in 1965 and we had John in 1969. Only kid. He’s still a bachelor and works for Microsoft in Seattle. Proves that philosophy majors can get good jobs.
Cate’s got thirty plus years at George Washington University, and will retire next January. She’s a big-time gardener who grew up in Tacoma, Washington…so guess where we’re headed next. Yep. Relocating to the Seattle area.
Ran up the wrong side of Regan political appointees in 1984 and quit Agriculture after 22 ½ years.(But kept the retirement money.)
Worked a bunch of trades: proofreader of 13 newsletters and 2 magazines., designer/illustrator on a navy missile contract, number two guy in the children’s section of a book store, and finally, clerked at a video shop. Retired in 2001. Full member of the Medicare-Social Security fraternity.

Greatest goal achieved: not becoming a millionaire.
Greatest unfulfilled ambition: flying in the B-52 the nukes Dallas, Texas, in the next civil war.
Current status: functioning deist, non-beer, non-wine, but whiskey drinker; anti-exercise enthusiast; small-time smoker; and compulsive reader.
Single greatest achievement: beating respectability to the ground and still remaining me!